Rumors swirl as Ohio State basketball player mulls entering the transfer portal

The Ohio State basketball program's offseason has now started after the Buckeyes lost in the NIT. Next up for them is figuring out the coaching staff and dealing with the transfer portal. Ohio State has already lost one player to the transfer portal and is hoping that's all there is.

Bowen Hardman officially entered the portal. The sophomore guard played in just 24 games in two seasons with the Buckeyes and averaged 1.8 points per game. He can really shoot it well from three though and is looking for somewhere that will give him more playing time.

Rumors are swirling around that another Ohio State basketball player might find his way into the portal. Felix Okpara has been rumored to be leaning towards entering the portal. That would leave the Buckeyes dangerously thin of big men on the roster.

Okpara is a phenomenal shot blocker and rim protector. His defense alone is valuable enough to have him start. His offense is starting to come around, although he still needs to develop some post-moves. It would be a big blow if he were to leave Ohio State.

Other than Okpara, the Buckeyes just have Austin Parks as a center for next season. They didn't get one in the recruiting cycle. They would be forced to get one in the transfer portal. Even then, they would likely play small for most of next season anyway.

Keeping Okpara and Bruce Thornton should be the top priority for the Ohio State basketball team. Those are the two most important players heading into next season. Everyone else can be replaced with someone else on the roster or someone who is in the portal.

Jake Diebler has his work cut out for him. Let's see what he is able to do in his first offseason as a head coach.